Baughurst Community Orchard

Sustainable Baughurst submitted a proposal to Baughurst Parish Council in February 2024 which outlined the plan for a Community Orchard. The proposal, edited by Anne Ayres and Angela Hare, was accepted by the council and action was taken to identify possible orchard sites. In late March 2024, this resulted in two sites being agreed for orchards, one in Long Grove, Baughurst, and one opposite the Heath End Village Hall which already has a mature apple and two damson tress growing there.

The location for the main orchard is as shown below. Plans were drawn up for the orchard site and a grant requested was submitted to Hampshire Forest Partnership in November 2024. This was approved and hence plans were then made for the planting of the initial trees and the hedges needed to contain the site.

The detail of the primary site is as follows. The What3Words location of the centre of the site is ///think.firework.imported. It shows the site and the location of 53m of hedging and the initial 12 trees to be planted.

The project has progressed in association with the Hampshire Forest Partnership, who continue to provide advice and guidance to the group. The items ordered from the HFP are as follows:

12 fruit trees
12 stakes
12 tree guards

53 m hedging whips (excluding thorny species) at 5 per metre (265 in total)
whip guards and canes
One tonne of mulch

Planting

Planting is planned for the weekend of 8th/9th February. It is hoped that there will be community activities associated with the planting. The orchard will be laid out over the weekend of 1st/2nd February 2025. There is a known obstacle on the site as a high voltage mains cable is buried along the eastern border, which will be investigated and mitigating action taken prior to planting.

Orchard Tree Details

The trees we have ordered for the initial phase of the orchard are:
Apple Varieties

1. Falstaff (Rootstock: MM106)
   • Type: Dessert Apple
   • Pollination Group: 3
   • Notes: Falstaff is self-fertile and also serves as a good pollinator for other apple trees. It produces crisp, juicy apples with a sweet flavour.
2. Katy (Rootstock: MM106)
   • Type: Dessert Apple
   • Pollination Group: 3
   • Notes: Partially self-fertile; yields improve with a pollination partner. Katy apples are bright red, with a refreshing taste, perfect for eating fresh or making cider.
3. Cox’s Orange Pippin (Rootstock: MM106)
   • Type: Dessert Apple
   • Pollination Group: 3
   • Notes: Requires a pollination partner. It’s renowned for its rich, complex flavour—an all-time favourite among apple enthusiasts.
4. Bramley (Rootstock: MM106)
   • Type: Culinary (Cooking) Apple
   • Pollination Group: 3 / 4
   • Notes: Bramley is a triploid variety, meaning it needs two different pollination partners. It’s the quintessential cooking apple, known for its sharp taste that mellows when cooked.
5. Grenadier (Rootstock: MM106)
   • Type: Culinary (Cooking) Apple
   • Pollination Group: 2
   • Notes: Not self-fertile; requires a pollination partner. Grenadier is one of the earliest cooking apples, great for making sauces and pies.
6. James Grieve (Rootstock: MM106)
   • Type: Dual-purpose Apple (Dessert and Culinary)
   • Pollination Group: 2
   • Notes: Partially self-fertile; better crops with cross-pollination. It’s versatile—tart when picked early, sweetening as it matures.
7. Discovery (Rootstock: MM106)
   • Type: Dessert Apple
   • Pollination Group: 3
   • Notes: Partially self-fertile; benefits from a pollination partner. Discovery is early-ripening, with a sweet flavour and a hint of strawberry.
8. Jelly King Crab Apple
   • Type: Crab Apple
   • Pollination Group: 3
   • Notes: An excellent pollinator for your orchard. Produces large, bright pink fruits ideal for jellies and attract pollinators like bees.

Pear Varieties

1. Conference (Rootstock: Quince A)
   • Type: Dessert Pear
   • Pollination Group: 3
   • Notes: Partially self-fertile but yields improve with a pollination partner. Conference pears are sweet, juicy, and reliable performers.
2. Williams’ Bon Chrétien (Green William) (Rootstock: Quince A)
   • Type: Dessert Pear
   • Pollination Group: 3
   • Notes: Not self-fertile; requires a pollination partner. Known for its aromatic, buttery flesh—delicious fresh or in desserts.

Plum Variety

1. Victoria (Rootstock: St. Julien A)
   • Type: Dual-purpose Plum (Dessert and Culinary)
   • Pollination: Self-fertile
   • Notes: No pollination partner needed. Victoria is a classic plum with sweet, juicy fruits—great eaten fresh or used in jams.

Damson Variety

1. Shropshire Prune (Rootstock: St. Julien A)
   • Type: Damson (Culinary)
   • Pollination: Partially Self-fertile
   • Notes: Will fruit on its own, but a nearby plum or damson can boost yields. It produces small, rich-flavoured fruits perfect for preserves and baking.

Additional Information

• Pollination Groups: Fruit trees are grouped based on their flowering time. Trees in the same or adjacent groups can cross-pollinate.
  • Group 2: Early flowering
  • Group 3: Mid-season flowering
  • Group 4: Late flowering
• Rootstocks:
  • MM106 (Apples): Semi-vigorous; ideal for medium-sized trees. Good balance between size and fruiting.
  • Quince A (Pears): Semi-vigorous; produces a moderate-sized tree with good fruit production.
  • St. Julien A (Plums/Damsons): Semi-vigorous; suitable for a range of soil conditions and produces reliable crops.

Cross-Pollination Tips

Shropshire Prune benefits from nearby plum trees for increased yield.

Apples:

Since many of your apple varieties are in Group 3, they can effectively pollinate each other.

Bramley is a triploid; it cannot pollinate other trees but needs two other different varieties nearby for good fruit set.

Jelly King Crab Apple is a fantastic pollinator for all your apples, extending the pollination period due to its abundant blossoms.

Pears:

Both Conference and Williams’ Bon Chrétien are in Group 3 and can cross-pollinate.

Conference being partially self-fertile means it will produce fruit alone but will yield more with a partner.

Plums and Damsons:

Victoria is self-fertile but will produce heavier crops with a pollination partner.